Call of Juarez: Gunslinger’s arcade-style shooting is wonderfully thrilling, fast-paced fun. It’s a download-only title that returns to the series’ Wild West roots, adding a sweet layer of score attack mentality in the process, and having great fun with its flashback-structured narrative.
Forget what you thought you knew about the legends of the West. In Ubisoft’s downloadable first-person shooter Call of Juarez: Gunslinger, Silas Greaves sets the record straight. His story drops you in a preposterous tale of heroism, featuring some interesting narrative-based gameplay mechanics and engaging score-based shooting. Gunslinger is a charming, Wild West adventure that you’ll want to pick up and play, even if the appeal doesn’t last forever.
Greaves serves as the game’s hero and narrator, recounting his life story of revenge, bounty hunting, and run-ins with the likes of Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, and Jesse James to a group of saloon patrons. At its core, Gunslinger is a fast-paced FPS with a strong emphasis on chaining kill combos, getting high scores, and unlocking new abilities. The arcade-y gameplay makes the three skill trees (duel-wielding gunslinger, close-ranged shotgunner, and long-ranged rifleman) generally feel the same. Most of the time, you’ll be haphazardly running through levels, trying to shoot the next enemy before your combo bonus resets; invariably, weapon variation and strategic positioning fall by the wayside. However, while Gunslinger may lack the need for any tactical consideration by the player, using the slow-mo concentration mode, racking up points with careful headshots, and pulling off trick shots is a complete thrill.
Overall, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger offers an entertaining romp through a stylized Western world. The famous name dropping doesn’t add much spice to Silas’ revenge story and their gameplay implementation is even less memorable. But where Gunslinger falters with the legends of the West, it succeeds in creating a score-based shooter with an interesting, constantly morphing environment and charming narration. If you’re looking for a Wild West story that can stand on the shoulders of the legends it houses, Gunslinger may be a let down. But those who want a solid Western shooter with exhilarating mechanics, you’ll want to give this game a try.
